Meat slicing machine with rotary knife and reciprocating carriage



D. A. MEEKER ET AL MEAT SLICING MACHINE WITH ROTARY KNIFE AND RECIPROCATING CARRIAGE Nov. 15, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Aug. 22,

' INV meadore 6 By w? TTORNEYS Nov. 15, 1949 D. A. MEEKER ET AL 2,488,421

MEAT SLICING MACHINE WITH ROTARY KNIFE AND RECIPROCATING CARRIAGE Original Filed Aug. 22, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 1949 D. A. MEEKER ET AL MEAT SLICING MACHINE WITH. ROTARY KNIFE AND RECIPROCATING CARRIAGE Original Filed Aug. '22, 1942 mi 2 N 6 E e mA 0 M D e 3 a 2 w 9 22002-6 Cine/gar? e As Brae/(bar A m/k/Ir 3y w fiaij FINE 5 Patented Nov. 15, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFIQE MEAT SLICING IWACHINE WITH ROTARY KNIFE AND RECIPROCATING CARRIAGE Original application August 22, 1942, Serial No. 455,808. Divided and this application February 9, 1945, Serial No. 577,050

6 Claims.

This invention relates to food handling apparatus and more particularly to slicing machines.

It is the principal object of the invention to provide a slicing machine which is compact, light in weight, which is simple and effective in operation, and in which ready access is provided to all exposed parts so that the entire machine can be easily maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.

It is a further object to provide a slicing machine in which the gage plate, knife and the adjacent edge of the carriage at all times overlie the surface of a slice tray which extends from the rear of the knife to the forward face thereof to receive the sliced material and to collect scraps, juices, and the like thereupon, from which such materials can be readily removed.

It is a further object to provide such a slicing machine having a gage plate which is supported from beneath an impervious cover member and which carries a guard overlying its support to prevent passage of material thereonto and to provide for the discharge of scraps and the like downwardly to the receiving surface of the slice tray.

It is a further object to provide in such a slicing machine a knife guard serving as a slice deflector, which fully protects the knife from all sides, and which serves to collect food particles from both sides of the knife and to discharge the same onto the slice tray which extends beneath the knife.

It is a further object to provide a removable knife guard for covering more than half the knife periphery and to form such guard in sections which are adapted to be removed and replaced in predetermined relation to each other to form a complete guard for the exposed edge of the knife.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawing, and the appended claims.

In the drawing,

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of a slicing machine made in accordance with this invention with certain parts being broken away to more clearly show the structure thereof;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of such machine with the closure over the cavity formed in the housing for the knife supporting means being shown in the open position;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view with parts being shown in section through the cavity to show the location of the grinder unit as contained within such cavity;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view on the line 2 4-4 of Fig. 2, the same section line being also shown on Fig. 6;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view through the knife shaft and its support on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a plan view looking toward the base of the machine from below;

Fig. 7 is a detail view of the gage plate adjusting mechanism on an enlarged scale;

Figs. 8 and 9 are broken perspective views from the rear of the knife showing the structure of the knife guard and the manner in which it is assembled; and

,Fig. 10 is an elevational view of the grinder unit.

This application is a division of copending application Serial No. 455,808, filed August 22, 1942, now Patent No. 2,412,962.

Referring to the drawing which discloses a preferred embodiment of the invention, a main base member is shown at H! which forms the entire lower part of the machine, being preferably formed as a single integral casting, suitably flanged and ribbed as shown at H to afford the proper strength with reduced weight. The base member is mounted upon a plurality of feet it which are preferably of rubber or other material having high coefficient of friction. At one end, the base member is formed with a low generally flat and somewhat recessed slice tray l3 defined by a raised peripheral edge portion M, such slice tray extending from the end of the machine into the knife zone.

The base also projects toward the forward side of the knife and has an integral upwardly extending portion [5 and a cover member l5 substantially parallel with and located at a level above that of slice tray I3. It will be noted that the vertical section I5 is joined to these two horizontal sections by means of curved areas ll each of which is of relatively long radius to avoid the formation of pockets and to make it easy to keep the machine in a clean and sanitary condition by merely wiping across it.

A pair of slide rods 20 and 2! are mounted in the under side of the base member and held in parallel position beneath cover section it by bolts 22, the rod 20 being located rearwardly from the rod 2|. Cover portion N3 of the base is formed with a depending flange portion 23 which extends downwardly to approximately the level of the adjacent rod 2| to effectively protect the same and to render the entire area beneath the base inaccessible to food particles and other material in the normal use and operation of the machine.

To support the carriage, rear rod 20 carries a carries an extended 'p 7 rality or bolts? 52. wh'ich pass guide 24 at either end of which is mounted a resilient member 25 to cushion the shock of the carriage as nears theend of. its reciprocating stroke, and a" universal joint connection'is'provided between the guide 24 and a sleeve 26 which is received over the forward rod 2|. This connection comprises an aperture formed guide 24 through which the end of the sleeve 26 pro: jects, the sleeve carrying an annular flexible col lar 21 of rubber or like material, the opening therein extending longitudinally, of guide 24,. Bolt 28 is carried in a projecting part'of guide 24 and extends through the collar 21; washers 29 are located on opposite sides of and engage against the collar. The bolt also has a threaded portion 30 which extends through the forward end of guide 24. Guide 24 is also" formed with an integral upright section 3|, such section being apertured as shown at 32 to provide for the drawing up of bolt 28 to thereby compress washer 7 aga ns r bber cas er; 2& t useit to e held under yielding pressure in sleeve 2 6, With t is s ru on here s n 99st la w e the i e .4 and l eve ii v hi t n. h n any misalignment of the rods, relative movement betw en he uidess Per i ted a rn i to avoid binding upon the rods he. riage p u p rt n the W k ma rial is shownfat 3 5, and is provided with a downvyardly projecting tongue portion 36 which is are by means bf el s 3? 9 t e r ht. '1- If desired thev carriage may be removed from upright 3! to provide for handling the work material upon the cover, l6, but for most purposes if f e e'r d, w t lize the qa cr ase in'the position shown.

J The carriage has an upwardly s lolrgingv work supporting surface. 331 and a'right. angularly extending abutment. we 39: 'A e cqiec a um t e fisnld ns rqm th ag-e. 19'; pr v e a convenient support for the hand when manual;

feedv of,- the workirnater 4 sdes'ired. Pusher plate ll. is rotatably moun upon: shaft 42 which a d ri 1 th t pusher p t ia mfl, 4r

hi 4.9 isv supported from the forward side of the,

carriage on crossv shaft 45 and is r'noun'te'ol thereon for; both swinging and sliding movement/with, respect? tl l ereto,

' Inorder to latch thelptusherplate inupper ino erative position, to: permit of manual; feed PlQ ecting lug 45 which. is apertured at aggt jne ci'v'e a pin'dfi fixedly mounted in the carriage.

A resilient, member. onfthe carriage a tsa i te n er, ac of lu 46;;

in theraisedpositiqn. oi, the pusher plate when it a eenm ved toward haknifeto. engageaper: ture 4'! over pints, Thisprovidesior yieldably holding the pusher plate in elevated. inoperative position, preventing any loose. play between aper nife uard in s ec p ocating move ent- I The gage plate is. she upon a gage. plate carrier,

slots in the carrier ;to there rom, h e nif tgl main ain the des red 4; wh ch s wina e n 'eur a e in a where desires; the p'ushe'r plate arm: 0 rriesl at at 5.0, beingf-mounted-.. br e n f W 1 through" elongated 1y: eifd ide b d lusting veme ithe ag l qwarsiand.

"" cut, and

'- 65. the f rwa idiegm meat Qt h u her we; and that when. so held. itjclears theknife and guide rods 60. and '15] which sie ta bly ca rie r drawing movement formed with an upwar relationship between the gage plate and the knife as the knife wears I Asshown; in F ig s. 2 and 4 the gage plate in the closed or Tull line position is substantially in the same plane as that of the knife and the adjacent edge 53 of the carriage. It will be observed that in this position the parts are located above and directly overlie the lower or slice tray portion I3 of the base. Thus any particles, scraps, or'juices the like which fall from the carriage or. from the knife and gage plate during operation, wi-l lg'drop downwardly upon the ice tray Biron which they can be readily remo ea; The dotted line showing of Fig. 4 illustrates the position where it is set for maximum U j is ObYlQllS that in this position a similar relationship isfpresent.

"The gage'pi'ate carrier 5| is provided with an integral guard member 55 which is preferably formed in the shape of a grooved trough and 10- called W eg s 9f he eased-at beneat the ca'rfieg, 9 g a d; extendin n; over ng relation to the, cover, I56. so formed itlikewise overlies the actualgage plate, supporting means to be hereinafter described, and thus prevents; access of food particles thereunto Itis or su c n Width, as n; 9 af w 9111 rot c i n even the fully r i d: pesi isa vi; the azeplate, as illustrated in dotted lines. Preifl h groove 111 the ard $1QP f z llni-u li ly l aie' v n ll 9 it ro which the collected particles are thus dr directly upon theslice tray ninet therebyma j ing for ease and simplicity of clganing;

The gage plate supportis carr ied y,

a pair'ct by bosses 52 formed inthe 'mai'in frame member; on the under side. of coverff6. These bosses are located at, a desired. angle as,shown'to efiectwith of the, gage plate, ay at" the knife. simultaneouslylwitlifthe nlargelilent oi; the opening thereof. Asabove n tedI the. gains; 55 completely overlies theends of rods fii ll which project through the cover, seems; protect on 7 against access of food'pa'rticlesthereonto.

Adjustment of the gage plate is effected by means of a leverv fpivotally. mountdf' rotation about the axisvfo'f haft'fififthelever 1 providedwith an extension}! atone sidether f carrying an upwardly xten n k I slot 79 therein of a'width'corres W of. pin 68,, but of greaterlengtln to. provide movement of the'pinthei ein." In a the lever in any predeterminedg p spring 14 against arcuate, mama suria formed integrally; withfthefbasel k Handl lever.v I6 is fastened toleverffi i' extendingfthroug ,2;- slot formed in the end fiange ofl'thfhas mern ber, by means ofv bolts 11 and l8, the latter having clearance so as to, permitof' adjus the handvleve'r in desired relation w'. hf. to lever 55, to thereby'adjulstl the Z sett g of the gage plate In thenormal operationtof the land lever 76- it fixedly 'ssqured t ojfandhoperates as an integral part; oifftheflevfer su'ch swinging movement about center Biigcausing; a corresponding actuationof the slidev rods; 6] t r h e c nofap n 6.8.: travelli g in the-slot. lll, Suitable indexing.- means.v may; befprovidedtfor cooperation with the externalpart of lever At its rear portion, the base member is also formed with an integral upstanding projecting part 89 which serves as a housing for the drive motor and knife shaft. The housing 80 is recessed upwardly as shown in Fig. 3, the drive motor 8| bein received therein through the open aperture in the base, and removably held by means of bolts 82. Its shaft carries a vertically extending worm 83.

It will be noted that the housing portion 80 terminates to the rear of the knife sufiiciently to provide a space for receiving any material dropping downwardly from the knife, the surface I3 of the slice tray being extended into the zone beneath the knife and spaced therefrom as shown at I3a, Fig. 5, and being of generally arcuate shape in the plane of the knife as shown at la in Figs. 1 and 3, thus providing an open and unobstructed surface beneath the knife which is readilly accesible at all times both from the slice tray and from the end of the machine remote from the operators position to thereby further facilitate the ready cleaning of that space when desired.

The knife shaft is shown at 84, and is rotatably supported in spaced bearing 85, which are received in a housing and supporting member 83. Housing 86 is bolted to the housing portion 86 and supported therefrom by means of bolts 81, and is formed with a forwardly projecting part 88 to receive and retain lubricant for the knife. The knife shaft 84 at its inner overhanging end carries the worm pinion 89 which meshes with the worm 83. The knife is shown at 90, being received over a supporting member 9| which is carried by the knife shaft and received internally of part 88 in sealed relation thereto. The knife is dished in the usual manner and is provided with a center disc 94 which carries a threaded stud 95 to retain the same within the supporting member 9|, such disc serving to guide and support the material in its traverse across the face of the knife.

A control switch 91 is located on the base and is connected by suitable wiring 98 with the motor to provide for control of the operation thereof.

A knife guard is provided for protecting the exposed edge of the knife, such exposed edge extending over more than half the periphery of the knife. Likewise it is desired to utilize the guard to deflect slices an scraps from the rear face of the knife and to form a dished cover over the entire rear face of the knife. In order to provide for the ready removal of the guard for purposes of cleaning, it is preferably constructed in a plurality of sections, the sections being separately removable and replaceable in operative position to form when assembled an effective guard for the full extend of the exposed knife edge. Each section thus extends around no more than half the knife periphery and hence may be readily removed and replaced.

For this purpose the outer portion of housing member 86 and the corresponding edge of the housing 81) are formed to provide between them an annular recess I00. Further the member 85 is formed with an inwardly extending recess IIiI, leaving an overhanging flange portion I02. Such overhanging flange I02 is continuous around the entire periphery of the surface except for a notched out zone I03 of relatively limited extent, located in the upper part of the flange as' indicated in Fig. 8.

The knife guard as stated is formed in a plurality of sections, the first section being indicated at I05, and the second sectionat I06, each section being semi-circular. Section IEI5 is provided with an annular inwardly extending flange III? which is adapted to be received within the groove I00. In order to permit of assembly of this housing section in only one position and to prevent removal thereof except in such position, the flange IIJI is formed with an inwardly extending lug I08 of less arcuate extent than notch I83 so that it can pass through the notch. Thereafter, upon turning of the guard section about the axis of the knife shaft, lug IDS is looked under flange I02, preventing withdrawal of the guard section away from housing 86.

Thus with the parts in the position shown in Fig. 8, section I05 is being moved into position where lug Hi8 will be received through notch I133, to be then looked under the flange IBZ, to thereby secure the section in position upon the housing, permitting free arcuate travel thereof with flange Iii! moving around through the groove I59. A cut-out aperture IE9 is provided to serve as a grip for handling the guard section, and since it is located to extend radially inwardly of the knife periphery, it provides a space through which a cleaning rag or the like can be applied to the rear face of the knife to remove food particles therefrom without removing the guard.

Having been assembled upon the housing, the first guard section I05 is then moved downwardly, in the arcuate direction shown by the arrow in Fig. 9, to its final position where notch III) is received over a fixed pin III, suitably carried by the housing 86 in position to project into the groove IMI. In such position the guard serves to protect generally the lower exposed portion of the knife and extends upward to about the level of the knife axis at either side thereof.

Thereafter the second guard section I5 is moved into position, such section likewise having a hand aperture II4 and being formed with an annular flange II5 which is adapted to be received within the groove I00. No provision corresponding to lug I118 is made, however, inasmuch as a locking means is provided for the second housing section to lock and retain the assembled guard sections in final operative position. Such locking means comprises a tongue I I6 projecting downwardly from the rear portion of the guard, and having a cone-shaped aperture II'I formed therein. A locking pin H8 is suitably mounted in the housing sections and 8B, and is pro-. vided with, a cone-shaped end portion adapted to be received in the seat I IT. A spring I I9 normally urges the locking pin into seating engagement, and a manually operable portion I28 is formed on the pin to provide for withdrawal thereof.

The flange II 5 is likewise notched as indicated at I22 to be received over a fixed pin I23 held in housing 86 for further holding and guiding the second section, and the end of flange H5 is notched as shown at I24 to be received over pin III, permitting the adjacent edges of the two guard sections to fit closely together.

Having thus first assembled the guard section I05 and turned it around to its operative position as shown in Fig. 9, the second section I65 is slipped into place, and upon withdrawing manual locking pin I20 and allowing it to return and engage in seat I I1, it applies continuous pressure to the second guard section, in such a direction as to tend to press it downwardly into contact with the first guard section I05, thereby mainrequired in this area.

'2" t'ai-ning such assembled guard: sections against undesired movement or rattling inuse.

It will be readily understood that when it is desired to remove the guard, manual retaining pin I 20 is withdrawn, permitting direct upward withdrawal of the second section [-6, afterwhich the first section m5 is moved in an arcuate manner to the position where lug F08 can be withdrawn through slot I03.

When in assembled condition it will be seen that the two guard sections thus provided form a generally cup shaped or dished guard extending from the housing section 80; 86- to-the surfaceof the knife around the entire periphery. Pref erably each guard section is formed with a radially extending portion I which completely overlies the knife edge, and which extends forwardly somewhat beyond the plane thereof to thus serve as a guard for the forward face of the knife. It is further found that with a guard of this construction, any tendency of the knife to discharge food particles by centrifugal force onto the guard results in those particles being collected on the guard surface, and movin thereacross to drop from the lower surface directlyinto the slice tray portion [3 of the base from which they can be removed as above-described.

It will be noted that portion I25 does not extend around the knife periphery in the area of gage plate 5!] as no additional protection is The guard is however utilized in this area for the purpose of forming a slice and scrap deflector for the rear of the knife, leaving the cutting edge thereof exposed, and deflecting the slices out by the knife and discharging any. scraps. or particles remaining on the surface of the knife downwardly onto the slice trap. As shown in Fig. 3, the edge I of the combined guard extends across the knife face in a generally vertical direction, beingraised somewhat toward the center as shown at l'3l to facilitate the deflecting of the slices down-- wardly onto. the slice tray. The direction of travel of the knife is along the arcuate line iiidicated' by arrow I32, and if a tangent be drawn to thisarc at the point whereit meets. the edge of the slice deflector,- it will be seen that the ineluded angle a is an acute angle. This provides:

for the continuous removal of suchparticles as may collect upon the rear of the knife, since under the action of the travel of the knife they: have a resultant movement radially outwardly and finally downwardly onto the slice tray;

The housing 80 has been shown as provided with a cavity M8 in its upper portion thereof, the manually operable end I292 of locking" pin H8 extending into such cavity. The, cavity is; closed by; a pivoted closure member I41; pivoted about axis I42; and generally conforming; in its outer-surface with the smooth: contour of the housing'llll. A, lug MSisformeddntegral with the housing providing a projecting surface over. which the end I26 of the. locking pin. may be en aged, to. retain the. same. inv withdr wn. 11 5i: tion. Cavity lj4lT likewise carries a stud I'd?!" upon. which a removable grinder unit. M5 is received. Such grinder unit. comprises a bracket [46 which is also formed as a guard=overlying the stonesandj servingto collect the particles of the stone and knife which are removed during the grinding operation, to keep the same from falling upon the remainder of the machine. It carries enlargements I41 and I48 in which the grinding stone I49 and the burr; removing stone I50, arerotatably 'mounted, respectively;- The latteris provided withanextension; I 51* having an enlarged slot therein to provide for adjustment of the angle of operation thereof as maybe required during use. An overhanging part [*52 is threaded to receive a knurled nut l=53-'having a pointed end I54 which isused forthe attachment of the grinder in operative position.

Such attachment is made on the gage plate 50, the rear surface of such plate being provided with a button I55- having a central seat therein for receiving the end [54 ofthe bolt $53, the housin M6 being received on the forward face of'the' gage plate and serving toclamp the unit upon the gage plate.

For operation, the gage plate is adjustedto an intermediate setting providing a spacing from the knife, and the grinder unit then located upon the gage plate and, fastened thereto by means of the bolt F53. Thereafter by operating the manual gage plate adjustment member 16, either the grinding stone; or the burr removing stone can be brought into operative relation with the knife and the grinding operation thus effected;

Following the grindin operation the entire grinder-unit can be removed for cleaning; and for complete washing by immersion if desired, following which it is returned to the stud I44 within the cavity I40; With the closure MI in closed position the unit is; thus kept in a clean and sanitary condition until further use is required.

It will further be seen from the showing of Fig. 3- that the normal position for operation of the release pin |=2c requires that the end thereof be turned to project above the surface of the closure I 4i. 'I-husremoval of the; guard is, prevented without first; raising the closure Ml, and turning pin I' I 8' around to the dottedjline position of; Fig. 3 where end F20 is easilyaccessible for manuar operation. Conversely the guard cannot be partially reassembled with the release pin I20 left in upwardly extending position, unless the closure is also allowed to remain: partially open. Thus an indication is afforded for the operator sothat in the normal operation he will. providefor the complete locking of the knife guard in proper operativeposition; following whichthe ret aining; pin I25 is returned to the full line posit-ion shown in Fig. 3, in which position the: closure; can be moved to fully closed position, thus assuring that the guard has been properly assembled. 7

While the formof apparatus herein described onstitutes a preferred embodiment of the" invention, it is to be' understood that the invention is not limited to this preciseform of apparatus, and' that changes may be made therein without. departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended. claims...

What. is claimed is:.

1. A slicin machineof thecharaoter described which, comprises. a. rotary knife. a, carriage.- reciprocable with respect. to said knife, slide rods, for supporting said carriage, a. main base. mem-- ber forming a fiat, slice receiving. tray at, the, rear of said knife, and. having, a. continuous. upward and: forwardly extending cover portion beneath. said carriage. and. overlying. said: slide, rods .in imperviousrelation thereto,, the surface :of said tray, extending; into. the: zone. beneath, said. knife andhaving an open and unobstructed curved surface in the plane ofthe knife, andispaced there from. which is freeof pocketsand' readily accessible at all times for cleaning, and means for" supporting said knife" with its plane and the adjacent edge of the carriage directly above said curved surface, means extending closely adjacent the lower edge of said knife for protecting the same against accidental contact, means for supporting said protecting means from the rear of said knife and above said zone leaving said curved surface unobstructed and freely accessible, said fiat tray surface extending into the zone beneath said knife providing an unobstructed easily cleaned space for receiving crumbs and drippings directly thereon.

2. A slicing machine of the character described which comprises a main base member forming a slice receiving tray and having a for wardly extending cover portion, a rotary knife, a carriage reciprocable with respect to the knife, slide rods supported in said base member, means for mounting said carriage on said slide rods, 2. gage plate, means for adjustably supporting said gage plate from beneath the forwardly extending cover portion of said base, said forwardly extending cover portion being located beneath said carriage and overlying said slide rods in impervious relation thereto, the surface of said tray extending into the zone beneath said knife and having an open and unobstructed curved surface in the plane of the knife and spaced therefrom which is free of pockets and readily accessible at all times from said slice tray and 'from the end of the machine remote from the operators position for cleaning, and means for supporting said knife with its plane and that of the adjacent edge of the carriage directly above said curved surface, means extending closely adjacent the lower edge of said knife for protecting the same against accidental contact, means for supporting said protecting means from the rear of said knife and above said zone leaving said curved surface unobstructed and freely accessible, said flat tray surface extending into the zone beneath said knife providing an unobstructed easily cleaned space for receiving crumbs and drippings directly thereon.

3. A slicing machin of the character described which comprises a main base member forming a slice receiving tray and having a forwardly extending cover portion, a rotary knife, a carriage reciprocable with respect to the knife, slide rods supported in said base member, means for mounting said carriage on said slide rods, a gage plate, means for adjustably supporting said gage plate from beneath the forwardly extending cover portion of said base, said forwardly extending cover portion being located beneath said carriage and overlying said slide rods in impervious relation thereto, the surface of said tray extending into the zone beneath said knife and having an open and unobstructed arcuate surface in the plane of the knife and spaced therefrom which is free of pockets and readily accessible at all times for cleaning, means for supporting said knife with its plane and that of the adjacent edge of the carriage directly above said arcuate surface, said slice tray extending to the forward side of said plane to receive the crumbs and drippings directly thereon, and an upwardly curved guard member projecting from the face of said gage plate and overlying said gage plate supporting means to protect the same against access of food particles thereto.

A slicing machine of the character described which comprises a main base member forming a slice receiving tray and having a forwardly extending cover portion, a rotary knife, a carriage reciprocable with respect to the knife, slide rods supported in said base member, means for mounting said carriage on said slide rods, a gage plate, means for adjustably supporting said gage plate from beneath the forwardly extending cover portion of said base, said forwardly extending cover portion being located beneath said carriage and overlying said slide rods in impervious relation thereto, means for supporting said knife with its plane and that of the adjacent edge of the carriage directly above the slice tray, said slice tray extending into the zone beneath said knife and having an open and unobstructed curved surface free of pockets formed therein of relatively long radius and which is spaced from said knife to receive the crumbs and drippings directly thereon and which is readily accessible at all times for cleaning both from said slice tray and from the end of the machine remote from the operators position, and an upwardly curved guard member projecting from the face of said gage plate and overlying said gage plate supporting means to protect the same against access of food particles thereto, said guard member overlying the adjacent edge of said cover portion throughout the range of adjustment of said gage plate.

5. A slicing machine of the character described which comprises a main base member forming a slice receiving tray and having a forwardly extending cover portion, a rotary knife, a carriage reciprocable with respect to the knife, slide rods supported in said base member, means for mounting said carriage on said slide rods, a gage plate, means for adjustably supporting said gage plate from beneath the forwardly extending cover portion of said base, said forwardly extending cover portion being located beneath said carriage and overlying said slide rods in impervious relation thereto, means for supporting said knife with its plane and that of the adjacent edge of the carriage directly above th slice tray, said slice tray extending to the forward side of said plane to receive the crumbs and drippings directly thereon, and a guard member overlying said gage plate support to protect the same against access of food particles thereto, said guard member having a collecting trough formed therein for carrying food particles, juices and the like toward said knife to be discharged downwardly upon said slice receiving tray.

6, A slicing machine of the character described which comprises a rotary knife, a carriage reciprocable with respect to the knife, slide rods for supporting the carriage, a main base member formin a flat slice receiving tray at the rear of said knife and having a continuous upward and forwardly extending cover portion beneath said carriage and overlying said slide rods in impervious relation thereto, and means for supporting said knife with its plane and that of the adjacent edge of the carriage directly above said slice receiving tray, means extending closely adjacent the lower edge of said knife for protecting the same against accidental contact, means for supporting said protecting means from the rear of said knife and above said zone, said tray having a part substantially at the level of the remainder of the tray and extending into the zone beneath said knife, and to the forward side of said knife plane, said extending part rising from said tray level with a general arcuate shape in the plane of said knife and in the plane transverse to said knife and having its sides defined by curved surfaces of relatively long radius to 11 12 avoid the formation of pockets and to provide REFERENCES CITED i an unobstructed easily cleaned space for recelv- The following references are of recom m the ing crumbs and drippings directly thereon which is open at all times and. accessible for cleaning file of thls patent from both said slice tray and from the end of 5 UNITED SFI'NFES PATENTS the machine remote from the operators position. Number Name Date v D. 145,406 Meyer Aug. 13, 1946 Sig f gE Z- 1,945,269 Freudenberg Janco', 1 934 2,151,862 Meeker Mar. 23- 1939 Administratrz'a: of the Estate of Theodore C. 10 2199 267 Meeker i I Apr 30 1,940?

BTOOkhaTt, Deceased; 2 d I 8 Certificate of Correction Patent N 0. 2,488,421 November 15, 1949 DAVID A. MEEKER ET AL.

It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 4, line 26, for thereunto read thereonto column 5, line 26, for the word bearing read bearings; line 59, for extend read extent; column 7, line 38, for trap read tray; column 10, line 7 0, after knife strike out the comma; column 12, list of references cited, lines 9 and 10, for Meeker read Meeker; and that the said Letters Patent should be read With these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 21st day of March, A. D. 1950.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Commissioner of Patents. 

